A Salem Scene
*>y Jack Zimmerman
such a law at the behest of
common cause, the organiza-
Predicting elections — es • tion that won an even more
pecially eleven months in ad ■ restrictive measure by inltia-
vance — is a chancy business 1 tive in the State of Washing-
ton. Gov. Tom McCall vetoed
at best.
But there are more than a the 1973 disclosure act and
few observers of the Salem then appointed a special con-
scene with strong hunches the i fUct of interest committee to
complexion of Oregon’s 1975 redraft a law destined for con
legislature won’t be much dif sideration during the forthcom
ferent from that which delib ing special session.
Such a law probably won’t
erated for six months earlier
this year and will meet again deter many candidates from a
in special session before the partisan standpoint. But it is'
primary election next May.
likely to reduce the number of
There are a number of rea persons in certain professions
sons for this attitude and more who would be willing to dis
may develop before candidates close all details of their busi
are required to declare their ness — lawyers, for instance.
intentions at 5:00 p.m. Tues.,
Another new development
March 19, 1974.
which could work to the ad-
Incumbent candidates, for vantage of irvcumbents in-
instance, always are considered volves limits on campaign ex
to have an edge — no matter penditures — enacted in 1973
how well or how poorly they — and to be imposed for the
perform in office. Name fa first time during the coming
miliarity may not be as im- election year. As far as the
I portant as it once was but it Oregon Legislature is con
. still is a major factor in most cerned, new limits are not so
low that they necessarily favor
legislative races.
Single member districts, incumbents from that stand
arising from the one-man one- point. But fixing a $9,980.63
vote concept, also tend to give lid on senate races and a
incumbents an edge and cur $4,990.31 limit on expenditures
rent legislators were the first for campaigns for house seats
to be elected following redis certainly precludes the pos
tricting in 1971. In many in sibility a challenger will buy
stances — particularly in the an incumbent’s position sim
state’s urban areas — districts ply by outspending the oppo
are smaller and more cohesive. sition.
New this election also is a
This leads to more familiarity
with legislators and their ac law making candidates person
ally responsible for every
tivities.
nickel
spent in their behalf.
Not to be overlooked is the
fact an incumbent has a pretty Unsolicited campaign contri
good idea of the philosophy of butions will cease to exist by
his constituents. As long as he virtue of this law. No one can
conforms to that philospohy ! spend money in a candidate’s
the assumption stands that his I behalf without tacit approval
voters will have no reason to of the candidate in question
and the expense counts against
turn him out of office.
There are other considera the limited total.
But the factor influencing
tions. Numbers of candidates
filing for primary nomination most of those who believe the
to seats in the 1973 legislature legislative scene will retain its
attained an all-time record. present Democrat flavor prob
It’s too early to accurately esti ably are influeced by histor
mate the number of primary ical precedent more than re
contests for the 60 house and cent developments.
Democrats controlled both
15 senate seats next year. But
many believe it’s unlikely the Oregon house and senate
there'll be anything approach for the first time this year
since 1963. And clear-cut Demo
ing the number filing in ’72.
TO LET YOU
One reason could be the majorities have been the ex
likelyhood of a financial dis ception during the life of the KNOW HOW
Oregon
assembly.
closure law that would require
Democrats prevailed for the PROU1» WE ARE
candidates to bare personal af
first
time in 1935 when 51 of TO BE PART OF
fairs to an extent that would
discourage many from seeking the 90 legislative seats were THIS GREAT
held by that party. Republi
office.
cans
two years later were un COMMUNITY.
The 1973 legislature enacted I
able to increase their 39-seat
minority by a single position—
although one independent cut
the Democrat majority to an
even 50.
In ’39 republicans were back
in ascendancy and prevailed
until 1957 when democrats rul-
, ed again with a startling
coincidental 52-38 majority. An
identical democrat majority
ruled again in ’59 and was
sustained almost intact (51-39)
in 1961. In the last decade the
numbers have been more
closely divided with GOP
house members ruling that’
body and a coalition of ma Serving Detroit-Idanha
jority democrats siding with
i minority republicans on most
Gates-Lyons and
• issues in the upper chamber.
’ The interesting points in
I this retrospective recitation
Mill City
appear to involve numbers —
I History Suggests Democrats
Will Prevail in Legislature
LET US FILL THE DAYS
WITH THE GOOD THINGS,
WITH HAPPINESS.
Mill City Hardware
Everett and Iola
Mill City, Oregon
52-38 and 51-39 - the major- S— The MUI City Enterprise, Thursday, Dec. 27, 1973
ities by which democrats ------------ —------------------------ "
achieved success in the past.
But probably more important
is the cyclical nature of de
mocrat domination.
When they first achieved
that position in 1935 they were
able to repeat the next elec
tion. And when they did it
again nearly 20 years later,
they managed to prevail in
the house through 1963 and
have yet to relinquish numer
ical superiority in the senate.
Only the most optimistic re
publican would consider plac
ing money on the chances of
regaining majorities in both
houses in 1975.
Unless, perhaps, the odds of
fered were great enough to
overcome common sense and
he possessed more money than
he knew what to do with any
way.
May Each New Day Light Your
Way To A World of Happiness,
Health and Success.
MADISON-DAVIS
Insurance Agency, Inc.
Phone 769-6311
Stayton, Oregon
Santiam
Cable Vision
BEST WISHES for
Hope You Have
Happiest of Holidays, the
Best of Years.
\Ne
May the New Year Bring A Fair
Measure of Health and Happiness to
Everyone In The Community.
I
I
I
We Hope AU the Days to Come
are Good to You in aD ways, all
Seasons.
Green Veneer, Inc.
Young & Morgan, Inc.
North Santiam Plywood Co.
i
The Mower & Tiller Shop i
Phone 769-2563
I
393 E. Florence
Stayton
FREE COFFEE
When You Are In Stayton Stop In For Your
FREE Cup Of Coffee
ORDERS TO GO
F
Phone 769-5311
Stayton, Oregon
Dairi
lueei
Scrumpdillyithus